A2A Expedition with the Bell family

We started travelling overland with a Land Rover while the kids were still small. In 2010 we drove up to the Kenyan border from Cape Town, touring the interior and both the Indian and Atlantic coasts. We returned home elated and desperate for more overland travel. In 2012 we sold most of what we owned and set off for South America with the Land Rover, affectionately known as Mafuta. Initially the idea was to drive down to the most southern city in the world, Ushuaia, then up to Alaska over a period of eight to ten months. We fell in love with the continent and her people and only left after spending almost two and a half years covering over 70,000 km’s, circumnavigating the continent and visiting every country, including the remote Guyanas and the Amazon.

Since we have been travelling, at least 80% of that time we have been camping and living outdoors in conditions ranging from blistering tropical heat and humidity to high altitude freeze. Our clothing has to be adaptable, stain resistant and quick to wash and dry while providing protection from the elements and must be able to withstand constant use and abuse. We have very limited packing space and each family member has a small crate of clothing. We need to be warm when it is cold, dry when it’s wet, and cool & protected from the sun – looking great makes you feel great, just because you are living outdoors does not mean you can’t be stylish. The kids especially require protection from the elements and all the bugs who want to feast on their flesh. The Nosilife range was great for my daughter who is famous in mosquito dining circles. Protecting both kids from mosquito borne diseases such as dengue and malaria is very high on our list of priorities.

Travelling has become a way of life for us, an adventure which teaches, nurtures and improves us. The pressures and disadvantages of modern living are unavoidable but we can have the best of both worlds. I am writing this while camping on the Mexican Caribbean coast, salty skin and sandy feet. Our children do their schoolwork under the shade of a palm tree then spend a few hours evading the afternoon classes by escaping into the sea. They have explored ruins and colonial towns, have witnessed hydro electric dams at work, experienced many different cultures, have climbed Torres del Paine and have learnt to communicate in at least three languages. We are living a life less ordinary!

I (Graeme) loved the Kiwi Pro Stretch Trousers. They withstood constant abuse and the secret pockets were good for urban exploration. My wife, Luisa, absolutely hates to be cold so no surprise the Madigan II 3 in 1 Jacket is at the top of her list. Keelan’s favourite was the Essential polo shirt. He had three and they lasted two years despite being worn by a teenager and being white! Jessica loves her Kids Nosilife Cargo Trousers and she wears them most evenings.

You can follow the Bell family’s adventures on their website, Facebook and Twitter.